“Hyungie! Did you hear? I’m a Slytherin!”
Jin looked down at Tae. And snorted. He thought he’d been put it the wrong house two years ago. But he hadn’t questioned it. Maybe Slytherin was the house he belonged in. But Tae? No. Tae was beyond a doubt a Hufflepuff. Maybe the sorting hat was losing its smarts.
“Jungkookie was a Ravenclaw.” Tae frowned. “I was hoping we’d end up in the same house.”
Of course. Tae and Jungkook had been best friends since they were four. But Jin had always thought they’d be in the same house. Along with Jimin. But it appeared not.
Twenty minutes later Jin found himself at a table with his six friends. Quiet Gryffindor Yoongi was seated beside him, silently eating his food. Ravenclaw Hobi and Hufflepuff Namjoon were seated across from them, chatting about something Jin wasn’t sure of. To Jin’s right sat Tae and Jungkook, the younger first year braiding the older’s hair. Jin wasn’t sure where Jimin was. He’d probably run off after some bird again.
“I can’t believe we can’t be roommates,” Tae pouted as Jungkook braided a flower into his hair.
“I think you can be roommates with Jin hyung,” Jungkook offered. “He’ll be a good roommate. Especially when you get sick.”
Tae continued to stick his bottom lip out. “But I wanted to be your roommate, Kookie.”
Jin looked over at the small twelve-year-old, whose eyes had started to water.
“Hey. Tae, it’s ok. You have a lot of classes with Jungkook. And we all eat lunch together. And there’s places you can hang out.”
Tae sniffed and a tear slipped down his cheek. Jin sighed sympathetically. He knew Tae was probably homesick already. He’d lived in the tiny upstairs apartment of his parents’ bakery with them, his little brother, and his baby sister. He’d seen them every single day. Of course, he missed them. Beyond a doubt his parents were going to send him a box of goodies every week.
“Jungkookie, today is your birthday, right?” Jin asked as he watched the first year continue to braid his friend’s hair.
Jungkook nodded slowly, a blush spreading across his cheeks.
“We should go get some pastries from the bakery and celebrate, then!”
Jungkook shook his head. “No, no, it’s ok,” he squeaked, his ears now turning red as he stared at Tae’s hair in his hands.
Jin sighed. He’d just have to give Jungkook some pastries, then. He clearly didn’t want to be celebrated. Jin turned his attention over to the second years sitting across from him. His fellow third year was silent as ever as he ate his food. Jin wasn’t about to disturb him.
“Are you guys up to study at the library this evening?”
Hobi just stared at Jin. “Last time you took me to the library they kicked us out because of me. I think I shouldn’t come.”
And that was one of many reasons Jin was sure Hobi was in the wrong house as well. He hated doing homework. He’d be bouncing all over the place and couldn’t concentrate. And he was a pretty average student as well. He didn’t get top marks or stand out. That was Namjoon. The Hufflepuff. Who loved to read a book and study.
Jin was sure there was something wrong with the sorting hat. But…what?
